ARGYLE — For over two decades, Cornerstone Lutheran Church, the congregation on the hill just south of Argyle, has been the worship center for people from Argyle, Darlington, Monroe, Monticello, Blanchardville, New Glarus and even Brodhead.

Weathering challenges of aging congregation and population, competition from sports activities that draw younger members away, and managing group worship throughout the COVID-19 shut down, Cornerstone members still count themselves blessed. 

“We’ve got something special here,” said Church Council President Darwin Lawson. “You sense it the minute you walk in. We’re not fancy. We’re not wealthy in worldly terms. But we really enjoy being together, love each other and love The Lord.”  

Struggling with aging pastors that had significant health challenges and then working through weekly pulpit fill when those pastors retired, this small, but dedicated congregation struggled to find spiritual leadership. 

Prayers were recently answered in the form of a local Darlington man turned pastor. As of June 1, Pastor Dave Olson, his wife Heather and three children Savannah, Luke and Asher became members of Cornerstone Lutheran Church and the Argyle Community.

 Pastor Dave Olson grew up in Darlington and had the seemingly average life — participating in school sports, music and drama activities. At one time, religion was a set of rules to follow. But as he matured and faced challenges, he discovered different. 

“God was faithful to me and opened my eyes to the gift that only comes from Him,” Pastor Dave said. “He wanted a relationship with me and wanted to walk with me through all the problems that sin brings into life.”

Challenges helped grow Dave’s faith and led him in the direction of serving as a pastor. His wife, Heather, has had a health journey that began when she was 16 and given a prognosis of a short, childless life. Defying the doctors’ predictions, Heather continues to flourish despite ongoing health battles. Dave admits that such challenges have strengthened his faith and relationship with God, “Putting our trust and hope in God is the only thing that we can do. My belief in God does not come from the positive outcome of Heather’s cancer so far, but the fact that God has walked beside me no matter what the outcome may be.”

After serving as an associate Pastor at First Baptist Church (FBC) in Darlington for several years, Olson saw Cornerstone’s struggle  for spiritual leadership as an opportunity to further his impact and serve the Lord. With the full support of the FBC congregation Dave began his work in Argyle.

Olson said that his goal is to provide leadership for Cornerstone that will provide a positive impact to the greater Argyle community. Leveraging resources, relationships and God’s guidance he hopes to provide fellowship in a world that is increasingly divided and disconnected from true and healthy relationships. Olson shared that Cornerstone Lutheran Church is not perfect — the expectation put on church is that everyone attending should not have any faults. That just isn’t true. The church is filled with people who are sinful and struggling. 

 “Our goal is not to just grow,” said Olson. “Our goal is to honor God and his plan for our church. If we do that then growth will come naturally.”

Cornerstone Lutheran Church offers several Bible Studies, Men’s Group and Women’s Group fellowship activities,  Sunday School, Vacation Bible School,  as well as weekly 10 a.m. Sunday worship services.

To learn more, go to https://www.facebook.com/cornerstonelutheranchurchargyle or contact  Dave at Cornerstone by calling  608-543-3630.